Things to do Today in Michigan
The Midwestern state of Michigan has more freshwater coastline than any political region in the world. The state surrounded by four of the five Great Lakes. Which creates stunning coastlines and abundant water recreational opportunities.
Visitors to Michigan can enjoy touring the big cities of the Lower Peninsula or spending time in the great outdoors of the Upper Peninsula. Some of Michigan’s top destinations are the Henry Ford Museum. Detroit Zoo, Mackinac Island, and the Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore.
Campus Martius Park
Campus Martius Park is Detroit’s official gathering place and award-winning public space. The 2.5-acre park is a year-round outdoor venue with a number of features. Beautiful landscaping, the spectacular Woodward Fountain, flowing water walls, historical monuments, flourishing gardens, comfortable seating and a bistro.
Explore some of the park’s historical amenities, such as The Michigan Soldiers and Sailors Monument or Detroit’s Point of Origin. it’s a place where people want to spend time. CMP brings internationally-known performers, innovative artistry, cultural celebrations, diverse food offerings and family fun.
Detroit Zoo
The Detroit Zoo is one of Michigan’s largest family attractions. The Detroit Zoo’s 125 acres feature award-winning attractions. Such as the National Amphibian Conservation Center, Great Apes of Harambee and Arctic Ring of Life. Naturalistic habitats are home to 2,400 animals of 255 species. Including mammals, amphibians, birds, reptiles and invertebrates.
The Polk Penguin Conservation Center is the largest center for penguins in the world. Among the most spectacular features of the 33,000-square-foot facility is a 326,000-gallon, 25-foot-deep aquatic area where visitors can watch penguins explore their habitat and deep-dive.
Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore
The Sleeping Bear Dunes National Seashore is on the northwest coast of the Lower Peninsula. The park covers 25 miles of Lake Michigan coastline as well as several islands. The park established to protest natural features. Such as forests, beaches, dune formation, and ancient glacial phenomena.
The dunes also contain significant historical features including the South Manitou Island Lighthouse. Three former Coast Guard stations, and historic farmland.
Michigan’s Adventure
Michigan’s Adventure is an amusement park in Muskegon County, Michigan. It is the largest amusement park in the state. There are rides for everyone. If you like speed and adventure, there are Roller Coasters like Thunderhawk and Shivering Timbers. Thrill Rides like Grand Rapids or HydroBlaster.
The Family Rides like the Grand Carousel or Timbertown Railway will be perfect. The park also includes an outdoor water park, WildWater Adventure.
Mackinac Island State Park
Michigan’s first state park is Mackinac Island State Park. a landscape characterized by high limestone bluffs, beautiful vistas of sparkling water, vibrant forests, and mystical geological formations.
Arch Rock is the island’s most famous geological formation. The arch towers 146 feet above the water and spans fifty feet at its widest point. It is one of the natural wonders of the Midwest. It is visible from both the shore and the bluff.
Sugar Loaf is a dramatic breccia mass rising 75 feet above the ground and is the largest of Mackinac Island’s many limestone stacks. Other interesting geological features include Robinson’s Folly, Skull Cave, Devil’s Kitchen, Crack-in-the-Island and Cave of the Woods.
Henry Ford Museum of American Innovation and Greenfield Village
This indoor and outdoor museum complex is a National Historic Landmark in Dearborn, Michigan. Established to preserve the legacy of automobile industrialist Henry Ford. At the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village outdoor history museum. Visitors can see a variety of exhibits, famous homes, machinery, and Americana from the Industrial Revolution era.
A few favorite attractions at the museum are John F. Kennedy’s presidential limousine. Abraham Lincoln’s chair from Ford’s Theater, the Wright Brother’s bicycle shop, and the Rosa Park’s bus. At Greenfield Village you can catch a ride on a Model T, jump on a real steam-powered locomotive, and visit farm animals.
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park
Frederik Meijer Gardens & Sculpture Park grounds feature modern sculpture in a stunning garden setting. This combination botanical garden and Sculpture Park. Victorian gardens with bronze sculptures by Degas and Rodin. Japanese garden, a carnivorous plant house, outdoor gardens, and a 1900-seat outdoor amphitheater.
The internationally acclaimed Sculpture Park features a permanent collection. Including works by Ai Weiwei, Rodin, Oldenburg, Moore, Serra, Bourgeois and Plensa, among others.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore
One of Michigan’s most scenic destinations is Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore on the shore of Lake Superior. Extending 42 miles along the lake. With spectacular views of the rugged shoreline, rock formations, natural archways, and waterfalls.
The most famous section of the lakeshore is the 15 miles of sandstone cliff known as Pictured Rocks. Visitors to Pictured Rocks can see several waterfalls, beaches, shipwrecks, and rock formations.
Detroit Institute of Arts
Considered to house one of the top art collections in the United States. The museum showcases everything from mummies to modern art and African masks to Monets. Detroit Institute of Arts outstanding collection of over 65,000 works.
In addition to outstanding American, European, Modern and Contemporary, and Graphic art, the museum holds significant works of African, Asian, Native American, Oceanic, Islamic, and ancient art.
Don’t miss the Center for African American Art, a gallery in the DIA that showcases 400 pieces, in various media, by African American artists. The Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA) should be at the top of every art lover’s travel list.
Tahquamenon Falls
Michigan’s Tahquamenon Falls made up of two different waterfalls near Lake Superior on the Upper Peninsula. The upper falls measure 200 feet across with a 48-foot drop. Known for their rusty brown color caused by tannins from the cedar swamps where the river drains.
The lower falls composed of 5 cascades and are a popular place for escaping the summer heat and swimming.
Things to Do in Michigan
It’s sometimes called a Water Wonderland. But at other times the people of Michigan call their home state the Winter Wonderland. Whether you come to Michigan with your snow skis or water skis.
Take in the sights of the big cities like Detroit and Ann Arbor. Explore the scenic beauty of Michigan’s remote regions. This Midwestern state will capture your heart.